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' J. MGDUFFIE.

Wagon-Spring.

Patented'Oct. 1, 1867.

N.PETERS. PHQTD-LITHOGRAPHEH, WASHINGTON. D. C.

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JAMES MGDUFFIE, 0F HEIiLERfS CORNERS, INDIANA.

Letters Patent No. 69,354, dated October 1, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN WAGON-SPRING.

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Be it known that I, JAMES McDUFFIE, of Hellers Corners, in the county of Allen,-and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wagon-Springs; and I do hereby declare that the fol lowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which' Figure 1 represents a vertical section.

Figure 2 represents a detached view.

Figure 3 represents a detached view.

The nature of my invention consists-in an improved methodof constructing wagon and cart-springs, which I may be readily attached to or detached from the wagon, as desired by the operator.

I To enable others skilled inlthc arts to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation. I

A represents the spring, which is constructed, as seen in figs. l and 2, of a bar of steel'or other metal, which is provided with suitable loops, a, atteach end, as seen in fig. 1, equidistant from'the centre and loop. On each side I form loops 6, which are secured to the under surface of the spring. These loops rest upon the bolster of the wagon (see fig. 1) and support the wagon-box or bed. 13 B are gibs and keys which are constructed as seen in the drawings, or in any other desirable manner. Ihey passthrough the end loops 6 b, and serve to give to the spring. nzhan in use, a suthcientdegreenf tensionQas will. be readily understood. Any other method of applying said tension may be used equally as well, and would be equivalent to the gibs and keys. 0 represents the spring-bar or supporter, which is formed, as seen in the drawings, figs. 1 and 3, of a fiat wooden bar of a suitable length, breadth, and thickness, having a slot the width of the spring formed through it, as seen at D. This slot is in its centre cut entirely through, while at or near its ends there is a portion of the wood left which is carved out, as seen in the drawings atf, leaving a projection which serves as a support, and acts in combination with the spring and its supporters b I). Just outside of'these projections f I form mortiscs g g, which are cut transversely through the bar, for the purpose of receiving the gibs or keys. These'mortises are positioned so as to come in range with the loops on the ends of the spring through which the gibs and keys pass.

Having thus fully described the construction of the apparatus, I willnow proceed to describe its operation, which is as follows: The bar or spring-supporter, with the spring properly adjusted, is placed on each of the bolsters, in the position seen in fig. 1, and the wagon-box or bed is then adjusted to its proper position, and the apparatus-is ready for use. The loops on the under side of the spring elevate the spring,.and the strongtension given by the gibs and keys renders it very elastic, so much so that while it will support a heavy loadand operate well, it will operate equally well when the wagon is not loaded. When desirable to use the wagon without the springer bar, they may be readily removed. This arrangement is applicable, as well to carts, drays, and other vehicles, as to wagons. g

The advantages of this apparatus are, first, that it is cheap, efl'ective, and durable, and takes the place of springs of all other forms for the purpose of heavy-draught wagons, carts, or other vehicles. Thejar and concussion may be effectually prevented by the use of this spring on wagons where the use of any other form of spring is entirely impracticable. The ease and facility with which this spring-may be removed or? replaced on wagons particularly recommends itto the practical operator. This apparatus may be attached to the bed of the wagon, or to the common bolster, or may be separated from either. 7

What I, claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is p The spring A, in combination with the gibs and keys B, and the bar 0, said springs and ba'r being constructed in the manner and for the purposes herein described and set forth.

' JAMES McDUFFIE. 5.] Witnesses:

H. F. WILLSON,

* Gno. ESMOND. 

